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Definition of tumbes
tumbes
/ˈtuːm.bɛs/
Tum · bes
tumbes Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A city in northwestern Peru, situated near the border with Ecuador along the Tumbes River, historically known as the landing site of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro.
Example
"During our tour of northern Peru, we spent a few days in Tumbes before crossing the border into Ecuador."
2
A coastal region or department in northwestern Peru, bordered by Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean, recognized for its mangrove ecosystems and tropical beaches.
Example
"The government established a national sanctuary in Tumbes to protect the unique and fragile mangrove forests."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from 'Tumpis', the name of the indigenous people who originally inhabited the region in northwestern Peru prior to the Inca conquest.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tumbes. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tumbes